Page 43 of Caged in Flames

Chapter Twenty

Imeet Jane early on Friday morning for rehearsal since we missed our practice earlier this week. We run through our song once to see if we can both feel the music and match our separate skills to the song.

It's a perfect song for us.

"Are you excited for the festival tomorrow?", Jane asks me as we pack up our things. Considering she wiggles her eyebrows with the words, it's a rhetorical question.

I answer her anyway. "I can't wait. I just need to get this stupid day over with."

She holds open the door for me and then follows me into the hallway. "And what could possibly be weighing you down on this fantastic Friday?"

"That stupid group project for History is today. We have to do our presentation this afternoon. Since I left before we could even discuss a game plan for it, I'm a little worried on how we are going to pull it off."

I even packed the strong anxiety medication for panic attacks in my backpack. I'm that stressed. I never want to take the zombie tablets.

"I'm sure it will be fine. If it isn't then text me and I'll meet you with a shovel.”

Stopping my steps, I stare at her. What the fuck? Why would she need a shovel?

She leans in close to me and stage whispers behind her hand. “You know. I can help dig a hole for the body.”

Dear lord. Shaking my head, I start walking again.

“Or I can just meet you at your place for margaritas. And if that doesn't work, I can always show you that my mouth can do more than just harmonize with yours during a song."

I love her so much. I cackle because Jane and I have no attraction to each other. It's just hilarious when she says those things to me.

"Save that dirty mouth of yours for when you see Jasmine in English later." I wiggle my eyebrows at her and she winks at me.

"I'm just warming up for her. She said she would be at the festival tomorrow too."

Arching a brow, I decide to push her on the subject. “Are you finally going to ask her out?”

She’s been talking about the girl for weeks, even wanting to go to the football game to watch her cheer, but for some reason Jane hasn’t done much more than flirt with her.

“I want to, but even though she flirts back with me in class, she doesn’t give me the vibes.” She sighs.

“Vibes?” I don’t understand what she means, so I wait for her to explain.

She huffs out a breath. “Yeah. The ‘I’m sure of my sexuality’ vibes.” One hand comes up to make finger quotations. “We might be young, and most of the kids our age are probably waiting for their experimental age in college, but I’m not. I know who I am and who I like. I don’t want to be anyone’s phase.”

Jane hasn't opened up to me like this before. It makes me realize that she really does trust me. I can be a good friend to her too.

"It's awesome that you know that." Looking her in the eyes as I say it, I try to convey just how much I mean it. “But I think you might be being a bit unfair.”

"What do you mean?" She looks confused.

“Not everyone is lucky enough to be sure of what they want at our age. People discover new preferences throughout their entire life. If Jasmine doesn’t know that yet, it’d be kind of harsh to judge her for it.”

I pause to make sure I’m not overstepping, but Jane doesn’t look upset. "Jane, you're an amazing person. You're confident about who you are and it shows. I love that about you. I admire it." The blush on her face matches the strawberry tones of her hair. “Give the rest of us some time to catch up to the….”

I use my hand to gesture up and down at her. “Awesomeness that is Jane Adler.”

She laughs and gives me a tight hug. “Thanks, Nix. I needed someone to pull my head out of my ass.” She gives me one of her signature nose boops. “Now stop flirting with me." She says with a laugh.

"Whatever. I'll see you at lunch?" I ask.

"Like you'd ever find a cooler lunch date than me. Later, bitch." She flips her hair over her shoulder as she skips away.

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